Conveyor agitator means and controls therefor



Dec. 1, 1964 c. R. JOHNSTON 3,159,270

CONVEYOR AGITATOR MEANS AND CONTROLS THEREFOR Filed Jan. '7, 1963 FIG. 2 6

5 FIG. 6

INVENTOR. CLAIR. R. JOHNSTON BY I ATT YS.

United States Patent CGNVEYGR AGETATGR MEANS AND CONTRQELS Clair R. Johnston, 1397 F restone Parkway, Akron, @hio Filed .lan. 7, 196$,Ser. No. 249,729 8 Q'Jlaims. 31. 198-430) This invention relates to apparatus of the type that is i used for separating dirt from articles dug from the ground the apparatus of the invention is to separate the dirt from the dug articles, which are to be retained and collected.

Attention is directed to my previous Patent No. 2,577,525 which illustrates some type of apparatus for digging potatoes and similar articles from the ground. In this type of apparatus, a relatively large, sturdy machine is driven along the field and, by a plow, or digging member provided thereon, a quantity of potatoes, or similar articles, such as peanuts, would be dug from the ground intermingled with a volume of the surrounding dirt in which the potatoes, peanuts, or the like have been grown.

In general, the previous machine, or similar types of apparatus, would move through the field and lift potatoes and dirt up into the apparatus. The apparatus might have means therein for separating the dirt, and possibly the weeds, or large stones from the articles to be retained, or elese some of such actions might be manually performed.

While my previous apparatus has been reasonably satisfactory for performing these digging and separating functions, it is desirable to improve upon the results obtained, and especially upon the action of separating the excess dirt from the dug articles to facilitate ultimate recovery of the dug articles.

Particularly, the present invention relates to just a portion of the machine for separating the excess dirt from the dug articles and permitting such dirt to fall, or be deposited, back onto the field.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved type of conveyor and associated means for moving dirt and dug articles thereover to separate the dirt therefrom, and characterized by the provision of adjustable impact forces on the conveyor at difierent portions of its movement through'the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively sturdy, easily adjusted, readily controlled means in apparatus of the class described to provide variable strength repetitive impacts on a conveyor at difiieren't portions thereof to jar and vibrate the conveyor to separate dirt from the conveyed material.

Another object of the invention is to position an open frame type of a conveyor with a horizontal reach therein and where support means are provided for the conveyor in such reach thereof, which support means for the conveyor have both upstream and downstream striking means, or rapper bars associated therewith by which controlled vibrating or striking forces can be applied to the conveyor as it moves along the apparatus in a downstream direction to cause dirt on the conveyor to be broken into small pieces and to fall through the conveyor and leave primarily only the desired articles on the conveyor.

Another object of the invention is to provide support means in association with a horizontal reach of a conveyor, which support means are accurately and easily varied in vertical relationship to the conveyor and position agitating means thereon in controlled relation to the conveyor to provide desired strength impacts on the conveyor as it moves through the apparatus.

steam "ice The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Attention now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of conveyor and digging means used in association with the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a conveyor and associated support means therefor embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, with some members removed and other members shown in vertical section, of the conveyor and support means shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary vertical sections of the conveyor means ofFlG. 3 taken on lines 44, 55 and 6-, respectively, thereof; and

FIG- 7 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section of a portion of the conveyor of FIG. 2.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison there between.

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to apparatus particularly adapted for separating dirt from a mixture of dirt and dug articles where the apparatus includes a frame, an endless apertured conveyor, and means positioning the conveyor on the frame'for movement through a fixed path including an upper horizontal reach, the apparatus including the improvement of a support member extending longitudinally of the conveyor immediately below the said horizontal reach thereof to be available for supporting the conveyor, adjustable support means engaging the support member to vary its position in relation to the horizontal reach of the conveyor, a rapper means operatively carried by the support member and movable to strike the conveyor in its horizontal reach to move the conveyor upwardly, and driven means positioned adjacent the rapper means to strike them and knock them against the conveyor with a variable force dependent upon the positioning of the support member in relation to the driven means.

Reference now is particularly directed to the details of the structure shown in the drawings, and FIG. 1 diagrammatically indicates a series of conveyors and associated means for processing a mixture, for example, of dirt and dug articles. These conveyors would be positioned on a suitable vehicle (not shown). Thus a plow, or similar digging means 1 is shown which can be forceably pushed into the ground and moved therealong. The plow 1 will push articles and the dug dirt up onto an elevator, or conveyor 2 from which the dirt, dug articles, weeds, and other members would pass to be deposited upon a horizontally extending conveyor 3 that is positioned on suitable members such as drums or positioning sprockets 4 and 5. On this conveyor 3, the dirt and dug articles are adapted to be vibrated to have a large portion of the dirt thereon shaken through the conveyor 3 to pass back onto the ground. Any large, or bulky items, such as Weeds, grasses, large stones and the like would move from the conveyor 3 to a second separator conveyor 6 that may extend upwardly of the apparatus and can deposit the members thereon into any suitable receptacle, or otherwise process them, as desired. A second and horizontally extending conveyor T0 is positioned adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor 3 for recepit of the dug articles, and any remaining dirt and small stones therefrom.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, preferably the conveyor 3 is of an open construction to facilitate the passing of dirt and other small articles therethrough. The conveyor 3 hence is shown made from a move through an arc.

plurality of transversely extending cross bars 7 that are secured'to longitudinally spaced portions of a plurality of carrier cables 8, as by means of ,U-bolts 9, or the like,

7 has a control handle or disc 31 secured thereto whereby which engage thecables '8 and. extend through apertures in the cross bars 7 and have their ends riveted, welded, or otherwise secured to the'cross bars 7, as indicated in 'FIG"" The conveyor 3 is positioned to have a horizontally 1 referred to in my previously identified United States Letters Patent. The opposite, or upstream end of the "conveyor 3 is positioned by any suitable members, such as .a plurality of support rolls 13, 'thatare, for example, journalled on or carried by a shaft 14 that extends transverselyyof the vehicle frame 12. However, it will be realized that both the upstream and the downstream supports for the conveyors may, ingeneral, be of any suit- I able type.

Positioned between the courses or reaches of the conveyor 3 are a pair of supports, tracks, or bars 15 and ltithatextend longitudinally of the'conveyor 3 and usuallyaid in supporting the conveyor 3,-as it moves along the horizontalupper reach 19 thereof. The conveyor 3 is shown as having a plurality of slides or plates 17 secured to theinner surface of the cross bars 7, which plates 17 would normally move along and engage with the upper surface of the tracks or bars 15 and 16 to facilitate movement oftheconveyor through a fixed path. The position of these bars 15 and 16 with relation to the upper reach it of the conveyor is preferably accurately adjusted and controlled by individually adjustable positioning means that engage with the opposite ends of the bars 15 and .16, as hereinafter described. For example, at the upstream ends of these support bars 15 and 16, a hydraulic cylinder 18 is preferably positioned on the frame 12 at each side thereof and it has a suitable piston therein with a piston rod .19 extending from the cylinder.

therod' 23 can be rotated readily to raise or lower the control arm 27 by accurately controlled increments of mowement. Such action moves the arms or links of'the toggle 24 with relation to each other to change the vertical position of the downstream ends of the barslS and it? in relation to the end sprockets or positioning drums for the conveyor 3 and the horizontal reach thereof. A cross bar 5?. is suitably secured to and extends between the bars 15 and 16 to unify such bars and the positioning thereof. I

Any'suitable guides (not shown) may extend upwardly from the arms 22 to retain the tracks 15 and 16 in vertical register therewith. Lost-motion slots may be provided in the brackets'25a to permit some upward movement of the tracks 15 and 16 relative to the shaft 25, if desired. Any suitable connection may be provided between the toggle or lever 24-, shaft 25, bracket 25a, and track supported thereby to maintain such members in operative association but to permit some limited vertical movement in the tracks 15 and 16 with relation tothe shaft angle in relation to the normal horizontal upper reach the bars 35 and 16 at the slotted connections therewith.

- the lower surface of. the bar 15 but normally .spaced downwardly therefrom a short distance, as indicated in A control lever 2% is pivotally connected to the upper...

end of the piston rod 19 audit is, for example, secured to a control rod or shaft 21 suitably journalled on the frame 12. An upwardly inclined control arm 22, which may have-a roll 23 positioned on the end thereof, is also secured to the shaft .21 wherebya rocking movement of the shaft 21 by changing the position of the piston rod 19 in the cylinder 18 will cause the control arm 22 to Hence, the rolls 23, which engage and position the front ends of the bars 15 and 16, will vary the vertical positions of these bars in relation to the upper reach Ill of the conveyor.

Any suitable means can be associated with and connected to the cylinder 18 for controlling the position'of the piston rod 19 in relation thereto and thus, if desired, a remote control can be connected to a hydraulic pressure supply line to control the flow of fluid to and from the cylinder 18 to raise or lower the upstream ends of the bars 15 and 16, as these bars are tied together for unitarypositioning thereof by suitable meansextending therebetween and/ or unitary action of the cylinders '18.

The downstream ends of the tracks, or bars 15 and 16 are controlled, as by means of a pair of toggles or lever means 24, one endof eachof which engages a support shaft 25 extending transversely of the tracks and operathreaded, vertically extending rod 28, which is positioned trail-ing rapper bars 36 twice on shafts 38 and 39.

extends along aside of each of the bars lS and id, as, i

by a cap screw 33 engaging with avertically extending front rapper bar 32. The front rapper bars are substantially balanced for vertical movement with relation to provision of a foot or. bottom flange 35 formed on the rapper bar at the centerportion thereof'whereby a fiat surface 35a is provided extending generally parallel to PEG. 5. Hence, impacts can be provided to these rapper bars 32, as hereinafter described, to aid in shaking dirt through the conveyor 3.

Rear or trailing rapper bars 316 are also pivotally secured, as by pins 37, to the sides of each of the support bars 15 and 16 at the downstream ends thereof. The positioning pins 317v are at the upstream ends of the trailing rapper bars 36 and usually are positioned for only limited arcuate vertical movement immediately below the upper reach 143 of the conveyor 3. 36 may be of generally T-shape in section for a portion of their length and have a lower portion 36a thereof spaced vertically downwardly a short distance from the lower surfaces of the bars 15 and 16. This leaves the rapper bars 36 free for limited pivotal upward move ment for agitating action on the upper reach 16 of the conveyor and any contents thereon.

The actual agitating, vibrating, or impact-action to be supplied to the conveyor 3 is provided by a pair of driven shafts 38 and 39 that are suitably journalled on the frame 12 and which carry members such as radially extending arms 40 thereon. The arms 40 position members such as rolls 41 at the radially outer ends thereof. The rolls ll are so positioned on the frame 12 in relation to the bars, 15 and 16-, that on rotation of the shafts 33 and 39,

the arms ill will cause .the rolls 41 thereof to strike against and elevate the front rapper bars 32. and the each rotation of the By the means described hereinbefore, the position of the upstream ends of the bars 15 and-16 will be controlled by the cylinders 18 and the piston rods 19 extending Such trailingrapper bars therefrom and these bars can be lowered far enoughrthat the agitator action will move both the front rapper bars 32 and the upstreamends of the bars and 16 to agitate the entire upstream portion of the conveyor reach 10. The vertical relationship of the downstreamends of the bars and the conveyor 3 will be regulated by the control arm 27 and its engagement withthe threaded rod 28 whereby such bars can be substantially parallelvto the upper reach of the conveyor, or the support bars can be at a slight angle to this horizontal conveyor reach. The motion of the trailing rapper bars 36 can be limited by a slotted connection to the bars 15 and 16.

By the different positionings of the front rapper bars 32 in relation to that for the trailingrapper bars 36, a

generalized impact can be provided for the conveyor 3 at -its upstream end, whereas more of a specialized, or

localized vibratory, or impact action will be applied to the conveyor 3. in the downstream end'thereof as the freev downstream ends of the trailing rapper bars 36 are elevated by the rolls 41 on the shaft 39 contacting such trailing rapper bars to knock them rapidly vertically upwardly.

It will be realized thatthe drive shafts 38 and 39 can be rotated from any conventional power source at any ground.

Obviously, any conveyor or elevator means 2 may be used to deposit the mixture of materials, such as freshly dug dirt and articles growing in the dirt, onto the conveyor 3 for processing therein. Likewise, any suitable receiving means, or further processing means will be associated with the conveyor 3 at its discharge end for further processing the materials discharged therefrom. The controlled vibratory separating action can be readilyvaried to suit the conditions required for the dirt and articles being processed. Hence, it is believed that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

While one complete embodiment of the invention been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus including a frame-an endless apertured conveyonand means positioning. said conveyor on said frame for movement through a fixed path including an upper horizontal reach, the improvement comprising a pair of first-named bars extending longitudinally of said conveyor immediately belowsaid reach thereof,

adjustable support means engaging each end of said bars and securing them to said frame to vary the position of said bars in relation to said conveyor in said reach thereof,

a front rapper bar secured to each of said first-named bars by lost-motion means and movable thereabove for the length of said front rapper bar to strike said conveyor,

a rear rapper bar pivotally secured to each of said firstnamed bars and movable thereabove in only the downstream portion of said rear rapper bar to strike said conveyor, and

driven cam means positioned to strike said rapper bars and knock them against said conveyor to elevate it with a force dependent upon the relative positioning of said bars in relation to said cam means where more severe impacts can be given to said conveyor in said reach portion ereof at one portion of said reach than at another portion thereof.

2. Inan apparatus including a frame,. an. endless aper- ..tured conveyor, and means positioning said conveyor on said frame for movement through a fixed path including an upper horizontal reach, the improvement comprising a positioning means extending longitudinally of .said

conveyor immediately below said reach thereof,

adjustable support means engaging said positioning means and securing it to said frame to vary the .position thereof in relation to said conveyor in said reach thereof,

a front rapper bar operatively carried by said positioning means and movable thereabove. to strike said conveyor at an upstream end thereof,

a rear rapper bar operatively carried by said positioning means and movable thereabove to strike said conveyor at a downstream end thereof, and

driven means positioned to strike said rapper barsand knock them against said conveyor toelevate it with a force dependent upon the relativepositioning of said bars in relation to said driven means .where more severe impacts can be given to said conveyor in said reach portion thereof at one portion of said reach than at another portion thereof.

3. In an apparatus for separating dirt from articles dug from the ground,

anopen frame-type endless conveyor,

frame means,

a pair of sprocket and shaft means journalled on. longitudinally spaced portions of said frame means and engaging said conveyor to positionitwith an upper horizontally extending reach, pair of parallel supports operatively, positioned on said frame immediately below said conveyor at said reach thereof to support said conveyor intermediate said sprocket and shaft means,

said conveyor having an article receiving and anarticle discharge end,

a first-named rapper bar movabiytsecured to each of said supports in controlled relation thereto and movable up into contact with said conveyor adjacent the article receiving end thereof,

a second rapper bar pivotally secured adjacent one end to each of said supports downstream of said first named rapper bar and movable at its other end up .into localized contact with said conveyor,

driven cam means operably engaging said rapper bars to move them up into contact with said conveyor to strike it from below to aid dirt thereon in falling therethrough, and

means carried by said frame means and engaging said supports for adjusting the positions of said supports with relation to said cam means to vary the intensity of contact of said cam means with said rapper bars.

4. In apparatus for separating dirt from articles dug from the ground,

an open frame-type endless conveyor,

frame means,

a pair of sprocket and shaft means journalled on longitudinally spaced portions of said frame means and engaging said conveyor to position it with an upper horizontally extending reach, pair of parallel supports operatively positioned on said frame immediately below said conveyor at said reach thereof, said conveyor having an article receiving and an article discharge end, I a rapper bar movably positioned adjacent and secured to each of said supports in controlled relation thereto and movable into contact with said conveyor,

a driven means operably engaging each of said rapper bars to move them up into contact with said conveyor to strike it from below to aid dirt thereon in falling therethrough, and

, '7 means adjusting the positions of said supports with relation to said conveyor reach to vary the intensity of contact of said driven means with said rapper bars.

a pair of first-named bars extending longitudinally of said conveyor immediately below said reach thereof, adjustable support means engaging eachend of said bars and securing them to said frame to vary the 5. In apparatus including a'frame, an endless apertured position of said bars in relation to said conveyor in' conveyor, means positioning said conveyor on said frame said reach thereof, for movement'through a fixed path'including an upper a front rapper ba a horizontal reach, the improvementcomprising lost-motion means securing a said front rapper bar to a pair of first-named bars extending longitudinally of a each of said first-namedbars and movable therev Said Conveyor immediately below said reach thereof .10 above for, the length of said front. rapper bar to strike t to support said conveyor, said conveyor, a pair of individually adjustable support means engagmeans to limit the upward movement of said rapper ing corresponding ends of said bars to vary their bars in relation to said first-named bars carried by t positions in relation to said reach of said conveyor, said rapper bars, and means pivotally connecting the downstream ends of I driven cam means positioned to strike said rapper bars said bars to said frame, 7 and knock them against said conveyor to elevate it a rapper bar operatively carried by and secured to each 7 with a forcedependent upon the relative positioning ,of said'first-named bars and movable tbereabove to r of said bars in relation to said c am means where strike said conveyor, and more severe impacts can be given to said conveyor driven cam means positioned to strike said rapper bars V in said reach portion thereof at one portion of said and knock'them against said conveyor with a varireach than at another portion thereof. able force dependent upon the positioning of said 8,1n an apparatus including a frame, an endless aperbars in relation to said cam means whereby dirt in tured conveyor, and means positioning said conveyor on a mixture of dirt and dug articles on said conveyor said frame for movement through a fixed path including is shaken and is urged to drop through said conveyor. an upper horizontal'reach, the improvement comprising 6.. In apparatus including a frame,'an endless apera positioning means extending longitudinally of said turedconveyor, and means positioning said conveyor on conveyor immediate y below said reach thereof, said frame for movement through a fixed path including adjustable support means engaging said positioning an upper horizontal reach, theimprovement comprising means and securing it to said frame to vary the posia pair of first-named bars'extending longitudinally of tion thereof in relation to said conveyor in said reach and substantially parallel to said conveyor immedithereof, I I t ately below. said reach thereof to 'aid in supporting a front rapper bar operatively secured to said positionsaid conveyor, 7 p x ing means by lost-motion and movable thereabove i individually adjustable support means engaging an end r to strike said conveyor at an upstreamerid thereof, of said bars and securing them to said frame to vary a rear rapper bar operatively pivotally secured to said the angular positionofsaid bars in relation to said positioning means and movable thereabove to strike conveyor in said reach thereof, 7 V said conveyor at a downstream end thereof, a a front rapper bar operatively "carried by and secured all of said rapper bars being associated with the sides to each of said first-named bars and movable thereof said positioning means and having portions below above to strike said conveyor, V 40 but aligned with said positioning means to limitnpa rear rapper bar pivota-llycarried by'and secured to Ward movement of Said PP bars,

h of id first-named b a m m h driven means positioned to strike said rapper bars and above o Strike Said conveyor, and g e knock them against said conveyor to elevate it with driven means positionedto strike said rapper bars and a force deilendent p n he relative positioning of knock them against said c'onveyor to elevate it with sald bars 111 f r to Sa1d,dnven 'i' a force dependent upon the positioning of said bars in F severe can be glven m relation to said last-named means where more severe Sald Teach Powell at 10116 Pomoll of said impacts can be given to said conveyor in said reach Teach than at another Pomofl mereof- 2322 2; 2 55531 ggzg i sald'reach than at References Qited in the'file of this patent 7. In an apparatus including a frame, an endless aper- ITE T TE ATENTS tured conveyor, and means positioning said conveyor on. 1,220 703 S Man 27 1917 said frame for movement through a fixed path includ ng 1,653,741 Sole'm Dec. 27, 1927 s an upper horizontal reach, the improvement comprising 2,577,525 Johnston Dec; 4, 1951 

1. IN AN APPARATUS INCLUDING A FRAME, AN ENDLESS APERTURED CONVEYOR, AND MEANS POSITIONING SAID CONVEYOR ON SAID FRAME FOR MOVEMENT THROUGH A FIXED PATH INCLUDING AN UPPER HORIZONTAL REACH, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A PAIR OF FIRST-NAMED BARS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID CONVEYOR IMMEDIATELY BELOW SAID REACH THEREOF, ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT MEANS ENGAGING EACH END OF SAID BARS AND SECURING THEM TO SAID FRAME TO VARY THE POSITION OF SAID BARS IN RELATION TO SAID CONVEYOR IN SAID REACH THEREOF, A FRONT RAPPER BAR SECURED TO EACH OF SAID FIRST-NAMED BARS BY LOST-MOTION MEANS AND MOVABLE THEREABOVE FOR THE LENGTH OF SAID FRONT RAPPER BAR TO STRIKE SAID CONVEYOR, A REAR RAPPER BAR PIVOTALLY SECURED TO EACH OF SAID FIRSTNAMED BARS AND MOVABLE THEREABOVE IN ONLY THE DOWNSTREAM PORTION OF SAID REAR RAPPER BAR TO STRIKE SAID CONVEYOR, AND DRIVEN CAM MEANS POSITIONED TO STRIKE SAID RAPPER BARS AND KNOCK THEM AGAINST SAID CONVEYOR TO ELEVATE IT WITH A FORCE DEPENDENT UPON THE RELATIVE POSITIONING OF SAID BARS IN RELATION TO SAID CAM MEANS WHERE MORE SEVERE IMPACTS CAN BE GIVEN TO SAID CONVEYOR IN SAID REACH PORTION THEREOF AT ONE PORTION OF SAID REACH THAN AT ANOTHER PORTION THEREOF. 